BIG RAPIDS -- Jake Hancock, a former Big Rapids High School standout, used to sit in the stands at Ferris State football games and wonder about performing in front of the hometown fans.

It’s an experience he appreciates now more than ever.

Hancock, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound offensive lineman, is one of Ferris State’s senior leaders this fall.

He enters his final season as an NCAA Division II preseason All-America pick at center, although he is expected to shift to a starting spot at left guard when the Bulldogs kick off their schedule at 7:30 p.m. Friday with a non-conference showdown at home against Hillsdale College at Top Taggart Field.

"It’s just kinda neat being in a place that, growing up, you got to watch. You watched people at Ferris when you were younger and you never thought you’d get the chance to be that guy running out on the field," Hancock said. "Now, you’re playing. It’s fun being able to walk around town and know a lot of people. It’s kinda fun."

Hancock has gotten a lot of recognition for his performance on the field.

He was second team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection at center following a junior year when he helped the Bulldogs finish 5-6 overall and 5-5 in conference action.

His progress has been impressive -- considering he didn’t even play football until he reached high school.

Jake Hancock

"I played soccer from kindergarten until eighth grade," Hancock explained. "I never played football until I was a freshman in high school. I always loved it. I always watched it. You could ask me any football question and I could give you the answer, but I never played it until I got into high school.

"I just always wanted to play, but my parents wanted me to wait until high school. They didn’t want me to get hurt when I was younger. I’ve talked to people who played it when they were younger, and I think it’s a good thing I waited until my freshman year of high school, because I’m in my ninth year of playing football and I still love it," he added. "Some people who’ve been doing this forever, it kind of wears on them."

Hancock has no problem with being a late bloomer in the sport.

He attributes his rapid rise from an unpolished talent who came to Ferris State as a preferred walk-on and emerged as a scholarship player and one of the GLIAC’s top interior linemen to improved strength and athleticism.

"I talk to my roommates about just showing up here and not being on scholarship," Hancock said. "I got here and it’s a running joke that I hit a second puberty at Ferris. I just showed up and tried to get bigger and become successful. My weight is similar to when I got here, but I was half a second slower in the 40-yard dash and I’ve probably doubled my bench and my squat. My strength has gotten a lot better.

"I’m kind of an odd ball. I never expected that to happen."

Bulldogs coach Jeff Pierce is proud to see Hancock become an impact player.

"Jake’s a very competitive guy who’s been a tremendous leader for our team. He’s a local kid who has developed into an outstanding football player, and we’re expecting big things out of him this season," Pierce said.

Hancock said his goal is to finish his career on a high note this season.

"Offensively, we could be one of the better teams in the GLIAC. I think we’re going to surprise some teams," he said. "I’d be disappointed with anything less than being in the hunt for a championship."﻿

FERRIS STATE

Coach: Jeff Pierce (96-80 in 17th season)

Last year: 5-6, 5-5 GLIAC tied for sixth

KEY RETURNEESQuarterback Tom Schneider (6-0, 207), a senior, is a four-year starter and team captain. He completed 184 of 261 passes for 1,741 yards and established a single-season school record for completion percentage (70.0). He also ran 97 times for 310 yards. He threw 12 touchdown passes and ran for six more. Wide receiver Mike Ryan (5-11, 185), a senior, caught a team-high 59 passes for 657 yards and four touchdowns last season. Left guard Jake Hancock (6-2, 280), a senior, is a former Big Rapids High School standout who was a Division II preseason All-America first-team selection at center, but has been shifted to guard. Jordan Morgan (6-4, 252) and Brad Iskow (6-4, 269), both junior defensive ends, are returning starters. Morgan, an All-GLIAC second-team pick last year, is a preseason All-American while Iskow earned GLIAC honorable mention recognition following the 2010 season.

KEY NEWCOMERSWide receiver A.J. McEwen (5-9, 160), a freshman, is the son of former Bulldogs quarterback and Grand Rapids Rampage coach Sparky McEwen. The former East Kentwood and East Grand Rapids standout transferred from Grand Rapids Community College, but did not play football for the Raiders last season. Wide receiver Will Frazier (6-0, 190), a senior, transferred from New Mexico State, where he played in all 12 games and caught seven passes for 51 yards last season. Offensive lineman Zack Wiersma (6-4, 275), a sophomore, is a former Big Rapids High School standout who transferred from Central Michigan.

KEY DEPARTURESLinebacker Matt Ryan was an All-GLIAC first-team honoree, defensive tackle Jacob Moreno was a second-team pick and guard Scott Shattuck and safety Chad Wilson, a four-year starter and the team captain, were honorable mention selections.

OUTLOOKIt looks like another rebuilding season for Ferris State despite returning seven starters on offense and nine on defense. The Bulldogs were picked to finish sixth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division preseason coaches’ poll.CHALK TALK"We bounced back last year and it was nice to get the program back on track. We’ve matured as a football team and there’s a tremendous amount of competition. We’ll be a fun group to watch on both sides of the football."-- Bulldogs coach Jeff Pierce

CIRCLE THIS DATEOct. 22, when Ferris State squares off against arch-rival Grand Valley State at newly renovated Lubbers Stadium in Allendale. The Bulldogs trail the all-time series, 26-12-1, including a 41-0 shutout loss at home last season, but that doesn’t make this matchup any less important for numerous players on both sides with West Michigan ties.